Real Man

Jack Cruise looked at Yoo-hyun nervously, trying to gauge his reaction.

He wondered if they had made any mistake in their presentation.

Yoo-hyun smiled inwardly as he looked at Willie Thompson.

He had a good sense of timing, making room for him to intervene.

‘He’s not bad.’

Yoo-hyun took the opportunity that Willie Thompson had created.

Swish.

As soon as Yoo-hyun raised his hand, Jack Cruise stopped the presentation.

He then responded quickly.

“Steve, is there anything that you don’t like?”

“The presentation material is fine, but it doesn’t look like you wrote it yourself.”

“Ah, that’s because…”

Yoo-hyun cut off Jack Cruise, who was rolling his eyes.

“I’m not trying to nitpick. It happens.”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Let me get to the point first.”

“The point?”

“As you know, Chairman Paul is very interested in the shale oil industry.”

Was it because Paul Graham was mentioned in this unfavorable atmosphere?

Jack Cruise answered with a very cautious expression.

“Yes. I heard it from the governor.”

“I see. But I have some concerns.”

“What concerns?”

“I think we need to adjust the investment scale a bit more than what we told the governor.”

“If the profitability is a problem due to the oil price drop…”

Jack Cruise thought that Yoo-hyun was backing off, and tried to justify himself.

But Yoo-hyun stopped him with his hand.

“No. Not that. How much are we going to invest? Even if we put in 100 million dollars (120 billion), we can only get a fraction of the shares here, right?”

“That’s probably the case. We’ve received so much investment so far.”

“Then how about 1 billion dollars (1.2 trillion)?”

“1 billion dollars?”

Jack Cruise’s mouth opened wide at the huge amount.

It was understandable, because 1 billion dollars was not a matter of financial situation.

With this much, they could change the ranking of the shale oil industry in an instant.

It meant that EnerTex would become the number one in the shale oil industry.

Yoo-hyun went one step further to Jack Cruise, who was dreaming of a rosy future.

“Yes. That’s how much we need to make it meaningful to collaborate, don’t you think?”

“Collaborate with Paul Graham…”

“This is the start of expanding the shale oil industry massively. We’re not going to stay in the Permian Basin, but extend to South America, Canada, and so on.”

It was not a dream if Paul Graham actively helped them.

Investors would line up trusting his name.

Jack Cruise, who had a sip of the soup, sparkled his eyes.

“You have a broad vision.”

“It’s not me, it’s the chairman’s opinion. I’m just the type who likes to check the bridge before crossing it.”

“That’s a good thing. You should check it a few more times.”

“So I’m going to stay a little longer and check this and that.”

“Of course. We will fully support whatever you ask for.”

Jack Cruise, who had become a meek sheep in no time, nodded his head vigorously.

It was a result that was achieved in less than 30 minutes of meeting.

Yoo-hyun bit his tongue inwardly as he watched him.

‘It’s ridiculously easy.’

It was as Paul Graham had said.

-Steve, be more generous. If you want to play with money, you have to mention at least 1 billion dollars. If you do that, you’ll feel the power of money.

The power of money was greater than any preparation and effort.

It was a bit disappointing for Yoo-hyun, who had always analyzed and exploited the weaknesses of his opponents.

Of course, he didn’t mean it was bad.

There was no reason to go around when he could go straight.

Yoo-hyun moved on to the next step.

“There’s something I need to check first.”

“What is it?”

“I know that EnerTex received consulting from Sprint Company for this project.”

At the sudden mention of Sprint Company, Jack Cruise’s eyes wavered.

He tried to suppress his anxiety and nodded his head.

“That’s true.”

“Chairman Paul was amazed that they beat BCG in the consulting bidding competition.”

“That… is not exactly the case.”

“So I was curious, and I saw the material and I knew it right away. This was also made by Sprint Company, right?”

“Yes? Yes, it was.”

Jack Cruise had no choice but to follow Yoo-hyun, who was stepping forward.

Yoo-hyun naturally brought up his main purpose.

“I want to meet the person in charge.”

“The person in charge?”

“Yes. I want to hear more about their vision. That’s how I can make a proper investment, don’t you think?”

“Ha ha. I don’t think that’s necessary…”

Jack Cruise made an awkward expression at Yoo-hyun’s suggestion.

Suddenly, Yoo-hyun’s voice became cold.

“It seems like you don’t understand, but I want to meet them. Right now.”

“…”

“Do I have to say it twice?”

At Yoo-hyun’s charisma, he sprang up from his seat.

It was a quick response that showed why he was the president.

“I’ll bring them right away. Joseph.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jack Cruise whispered to his assistant Joseph Kyle, who came up to him with a bow.

“Tell Ellis…”

“I got it.”

Joseph Kyle nodded his head and quickly left.

Yoo-hyun finally relaxed his stiff expression and smiled faintly.

Gulp.

Jack Cruise swallowed his saliva and glanced at Yoo-hyun.

He couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

Meanwhile, Jeong Da-hye was called to the EnerTex building on an urgent call.

She asked Joseph Kyle, who she met at the lobby on the first floor.

“When did you ever investigate the subcontractors’ financial situation, and now you suddenly want me to explain the investment?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

“How did it turn out like that? You’re not even an investor, you’re just Paul Graham’s representative. I can’t do a presentation that I’m not prepared for.”

Jeong Da-hye drew a cold line, and Joseph Kyle pleaded with her.

“Just do me a favor. Alice, he wants to hear what you have to say.”

“Then I can’t do it even more. I won’t say anything good from my mouth.”

“Alice, I know you’re disappointed in us. No, you must hate us. But let’s put that feeling aside for now, and focus on the investment.”

“Why should I?”

At Jeong Da-hye’s cold question, Joseph Kyle added an excuse.

“If we get the investment, we can solve all the subcontractors’ financial problems. Then the compensation issue will disappear, and we can finish the project right away. Isn’t that a win-win situation?”

“You’re really selfish until the end.”

“Think rationally. This is the last time I’ll ask for your help, the last time.”

“Sigh.”

Jeong Da-hye sighed and soon composed her expression.

She was annoyed, but honestly, she wanted to finish it properly.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room was led by Willie Thompson.

He chatted with the cooperative company presidents, and Jack Cruji’s reaction also improved.

It was to keep them from getting distracted.

Only Yoo-hyun was relaxed.

Yoo-hyun leaned back on his chair and recalled his meeting with Jeong Da-hye.

How would she react when she saw him?

Would she pretend not to know him?

Or would she show that she knew him?

If it was the Jeong Da-hye that Yoo-hyun knew, the answer was obvious.

That’s why Yoo-hyun came here without telling her in advance.

If he had told her, she would never have allowed him to come here.

‘It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.’

Yoo-hyun justified himself with a smile.

It was then.

Clank.

The door opened and Joseph Kyle came in first.

Jack Cruji, who jumped up, ran straight to the door.

He greeted them with a bright smile.

“Alice, how long I’ve been waiting for you. Come on, come on.”

Swoosh.

Behind him, Jeong Da-hye revealed herself.

She was dressed in a neat suit, and her steps still had confidence.

Just by looking at her, he could tell what kind of mind she had come here with.

But regardless of her will, her face looked very bad.

She looked very tired.

Was it because the work was hard?

Or was it because of stress?

He felt sorry for her as he watched her.

Of course, he didn’t show it on the outside.

Meanwhile, Jack Cruji led Jeong Da-hye to Yoo-hyun.

“Alice, this is Steve Han, the investor. He’s here as Paul Graham’s investment representative, so greet him politely.”

“…”

She stopped.

Only then did Jeong Da-hye’s eyes shake violently as she confirmed Yoo-hyun.

‘Why on earth is Yoo-hyun here…’

She fiddled with her hands and looked around.

She couldn’t even move her feet.

She seemed to be shocked.

Yoo-hyun, who slowly got up from his seat, approached her slowly, taking in her face.

As their eyes met, her surprised emotion was clearly conveyed to Yoo-hyun’s chest.

He wanted to hug her and pat her back, but he couldn’t do that now.

Yoo-hyun, who stood in front of Jeong Da-hye, politely reached out his hand.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Steve Han.”

Confused for a moment, Jeong Da-hye soon grasped Yoo-hyun’s hand.

Her fingertips were trembling, but her eyes were clear.

“I’m Alice Jeong. I work for Spirit Company, and I’m in charge of consulting for Enertex.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. You’ve been leading the project for two years, right?”

“Yes. I started the project in early 2010.”

She calmly responded to Yoo-hyun’s interview-like questions.

She definitely looked professional.

“Then you must be in the final stage of the project.”

“I attended this meeting to do that. Then I’ll start the investment presentation.”

She didn’t flinch at Yoo-hyun’s meaningful question.

Rather, she boldly greeted him and went up to the podium.

She checked her laptop on the podium and held the presenter in her hand.

Then she made eye contact with everyone in the meeting room and turned the page.

She skipped the previous report content and unfolded the most important part.

Soon after, her clear voice flowed through the microphone.

“Enertex has continuously increased its oil production in the Permian Basin through innovative drilling technology. Now that we have the scale, what we need to do is improve efficiency, and I’ll tell you the plan…”

It was a presentation that stuck to your head.

Willie Thompson also thought it was good, as he unfolded his arms and focused on her voice.

Watching him, Yoo-hyun remembered the old memories.

When was it?

When Jeong Da-hye worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she gave a presentation in front of Yoo-hyun.

Come to think of it, Yoo-hyun also surprised her by showing up then.

It was a situation that could have been messed up, but Jeong Da-hye showed a professional attitude like now.

Looking back, she always did.

She tried to do whatever she was assigned to.

Even in this situation where everything was twisted, she only looked at her work.

It was obvious that she was carrying some burden on her shoulders.

Yoo-hyun raised his hand as he listened.

“Can I ask a question?”

“Yes. Anytime.”

“Isn’t the basis of Enertex’s technological prowess, ultimately coming from the subcontractors?”

“That’s right. Securing technological capabilities for hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, supplying competitive pipelines, and other innovative technologies were all possible because of the competitive cooperative companies.”

Jeong Da-hye used the expression cooperative companies instead of subcontractors.

And every time she mentioned a technology, she pointed out the related company presidents.

She seemed to care a lot.

Maybe that’s why?

The cooperative company presidents, who looked resentful to Jack Cruji, sent Jeong Da-hye a trusting look.

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